Newbie here, so confused!

[Taddy]

Hi all, hoping you can help me because I don't know what I'm doing.

I'll try and just list the points for reference:

Myself and two children are British passport holders (by birth)
Husband Canadian passport holder (by birth)
We are expats in the UAE and hold residence visas for the UAE, except for daughter who lives/goes to school in the UK.
Daughter is from a previous relationship but legally has the same surname as the rest of us
We are just about to complete on a property purchase in Canada.
We plan to move permanently next summer.

My questions are:
Should we start the sponsorship process now or should we wait and start it once we're there?
Can the children start school without PR?
Documentation requirements are different for different countries. Do I use where I live or where I'm from?

TIA.

 

[taffy7]

You are best to start it while you are outland. The reason being is that you and the kids can not just move to Canada. Even though you hold British passports and are visa exempt you will only be allowed here for a visit. At the boarder they may only stamp your visa for 2 weeks or may denied you completely thinking you are going to over stay your visit. If you do get in with out any fuss you can apply to extend your visitors visa.but i suggest you start your application now. It is taking between 6 to 8 months at the moment .


Now there is a lot of controversial about weather the kids can start school without PR, some school boards will and some won't.I say that because my nephew who didn't have PR started school here. Another reason to start your application is that some provinces you have to wait 3 months before you can get health coverage.

You hold U.k Passports so you would apply using that application. The worse that could happen is that they call you for an interview and you have to fly to London,but honestly i don't think that will happen as you have children together etc etc.

 

[Taddy]

Thank you for such a fast response.

So although I live in the Middle East, I should send my application to London, is that correct?

 

[Kayaker]

You send the whole application package to Canada, and after they approve your husband to be a sponsor (he will not be eligible if he has been on welfare recently, etc.) they will send your package to London. All you have to do is indicate in the forms that you want your application to be processed in London.

Also, you need police certificates from every place you have lived in for more than 6 months. I'd assume that means the UAE and UK (and anywhere else you have lived.)

 

[taffy7]

Thank you for such a fast response.

So although I live in the Middle East, I should send my application to London, is that correct?

Your vo will be London. Your application gets sent to Mississauga first for first stage which is Sponsorship approval, then they send you application to London, where the second stage will be processed . You will need medicals for you and the kids , also immigration photos 8 i think i sent and medicals by a panel physician . You have lots of work to start with . Police reports as Kay said said from every country you have lived in for 6 months. If the kids are under 18 they will not require police checks.

 

[Taddy]

Already I'm clearer. thank you so much to you both. Husband and I are wading through the forms now .

 

[taffy7]

Your welcome. One piece of advice make sure you have the up to date forms when sending as they change them often . Police reports can not be more than 3 months old when cic receives them . You can get your British reports on line. You have to send passport size photos with them and proof of address. Take your medicals at the last minute as they only last a year . They can be received by Cic at any time so you don't have a restriction that they have to be 3 months or less when they receive them , it just if they run out before you land they may ask you to re take them a gain. Most get them extended by the Vo which your would be London. Good luck ..

 

[kiwi123]

Your vo will be London. Your application gets sent to Mississauga first for first stage which is Sponsorship approval, then they send you application to London, where the second stage will be processed . You will need medicals for you and the kids , also immigration photos 8 i think i sent and medicals by a panel physician . You have lots of work to start with . Police reports as Kay said said from every country you have lived in for 6 months. If the kids are under 18 they will not require police checks.

Since her husband is Canadian Citizen do the children need to do a medical? I think it will be a totally different process for them(applying for citizenship by descent, then applying for passport). Sorry I don't know much about this process but I imagine that it will be a quicker process and if for some reason they get delays and do not get PR approved before school year starts next year then at least the children could start school, husband could work and OP can be a visitor for a few months?

 

[Taddy]

The school board have already replied. No issue with the children starting school as 1) my husband in Canadian and 2) we are legally married.

One relief...

 

[taffy7]

The school board have already replied. No issue with the children starting school as 1) my husband in Canadian and 2) we are legally married.

One relief...

That is great news Taddy .